What is a flat file data transfer?

What is considered a flat file?

A flat file is a collection of data stored in a two-dimensional database in which similar yet discrete strings of information are stored as records in a table. The columns of the table represent one dimension of the database, while each row is a separate record.

Why use a flat file?

Data warehousing projects use flat files to import data. There is no data manipulation performed on the stored data, but they are the preferred option because of how easily they carry information from the server. Flat files are a bare means of storing table data but do not hold relations between the tables within them.

Is flat file and CSV same?

Flat files are the universal mechanism for moving data from one database or system to another. There are two common types of flat files: CSV (comma separated values) and delimited files. Both are file formats that represent relational data in a text file.

What is flat file in ETL?

Flat, or sequential, files are a convenient, common format for data exchange. Because they carry little to no storage or access overhead, they are also one of the fastest source formats for data access, manipulation, loading, and reporting.